Teacher

Sidney was born and raised in the West Village, the youngest of three children. As a child, he spent his summers in the Caribbean, swimming and learning all about the facts of life. At the age of thirteen, he was introduced to competitive swimming at the Boys Club of New York - Flushing Clubhouse by longtime Imaginaire, Michael Poropat. By fifteen he was the Captain of his team and was a certified Lifeguard. He soon discovered the paramount importance of this position when he saved a teenager's life, after the swimmer suffered a seizure in the water. After completing his studies at SUNY Oswego, with a BA in Human Development and a focus in Youth Development, Sidney spent the next several years working under Magdy Shorky, one of Egypt's top Olympic swim coaches. He returned to New York City as the Aquatics Director at the Gerry Clubhouse in Harlem, where he served three years rejuvenating the Aquatics program. Away from the pool, Sidney has worked with children in the foster care system and, starting in the fall of 2017, he will attend Columbia University, studying for his MSW to continue his work with inner city youth.